The TRACKS
by
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Clarence resumed his teasing. "But where's the grave you were talking about?"
lantern from me and led the way around the clump of bushes to the other side. And there it was.
The large mound of fresh dirt seemed to gleam in the dim light. It was the grave!
said in a whisper. "It really is a grave." He leaned over and picked up a stick. "Let's dig a little
and see what's in there." Edward set the lantern down as Clarence began to poke in the middle of
the mound.
sniffed. "I smell smoke!" I whispered loudly. "Something's burning!"
we could see a campfire. Its orange flames flared into the darkness. Shadowy figures moved
around it. We froze with fear when we realized it was more than just a campfire. There was also
a torch! And the torch had begun to move . . . in our direction!
One of the faces had a bushy red beard and the other one had stubby whiskers. Without a doubt it
was the same hobos who had made the grave . . . and they were moving in our direction, fast!
lantern and started to run, but, not being familiar with the area, he ran the wrong way.
his head off. It was all Edward could do to hold onto him as we dashed through the bushes and
trees, heading toward the railroad tracks.
I reached to grab him, I dropped Maizey. "Oh, Clarence!" I called "Not that way! Here! Hold the
light still so I can get my doll!" H whirled back around so I could see. I grabbed the doll with one
hand and grabbed his arm with the other. "Let me lead the way," I said.
their torch was getting brighter all the time. Their loud breathing and shouting were just a short
distance behind.
into the clearing. Edward was right on our heels with the barking dog in his arms.
marsh. We stopped dead in our tracks. Our pursuers also saw the ball of light, because they
stopped where they were—just steps behind us. Even Jiggs sensed something unusual was taking
place, because he abruptly stopped barking.
away, before flaring again. When it began to move, it seemed to be beckoning us to follow it.
stand here all night. It can't hurt us. It's just a light. Come on. Let's make another run for it."
hobos! The floating flame ahead of us also appeared to be moving faster now. It was leading us
in the direction of home.
idea flashed through my mind, the light stopped abruptly—right in the middle of the tracks.
When it stopped, so did we. So, of course, did our pursuers. We were standing in a line along the
edge of the railroad tracks.
steady, bright beam, moving in our direction from down the tracks. The light appeared to be
getting larger and brighter by the second. We knew it was not a regular train, for there was no
sound. Just the light!
did we hear in the darkness, but brighter it grew. So bright!
we'd be done for! There was no way to escape! No way!
my mind: "Swooping you off in the darkness, swooping you off in the night, swooping you off
forever, never again to see light!"
was it?
life. It was not just a train whistle. It was a sad, mournful wail, crying through the night. It was
the sound of the mystery train!
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About the Book
Twelve-year-old Emma Mae and her 10-year-old brother Edward live with their family on a farm in rural West Kentucky in 1914. Most of the time, they live ordinary lives. Once in a while, though, exciting adventures come their way. This time the adventure begins on Halloween night on the railroad tracks near their home. They, along with their 14-year-old brother Clarence and their three-legged dog Jiggs, . . and two hobos . . . are swept up by a mysterious, almost-invisible train that carries them, screeching through the night, to a far away place, where they may “never again see light." It doesn’t take the children long to learn that their lives are in danger. Then they make another unbelievable discovery. Some of their own family members live near the circus camp/prison where they have been taken, The many adventures they experience at the hands of the man in the brown suit with the black derby hat and his sidekick, the ringmaster at the circus, will leave the reader wondering if they'll ever be able to escape and return to their home. If so, what would they tell their family about the adventure? And would another adventure ever come their way?
About the Author
ROSALYN RIKEL RAMAGE, the author of two books of children's poetry, is a retired elementary school teacher. Her love of children and family has inspired her to incorporate bits of family lore with fantastical adventures. She hopes her books will enlighten as well as entertain her audience—persons of any age¬¬, especially middle grade children. She and her husband Don split their time between their farm in Kentucky and their home in Nashville, Tennessee.